Red Pierrot Butterfly

Description:

Wingspan 30-36mm. Status: Locally common. Distr.: India (peninsular India [Mumbai southwards], Orrissa, Northeast), Myanmar, Shri Lanka.

Habitat:

Slow fluttering flight, usually seen in gardens on low plants not far from the food plant. Prefers moist, Sheltered habitats in forests as well as urban gardens where the food plant grows. Seen in moist deciduous to evergreen forests from sea level to some elevation. Fond of flowers. Active almost throughout the year. Eggs laid singly.

Notes:

Adult: HW tailed. Both sexes blackish brown on UP with broad orange-red area on lower half of UPH. UN mainly white with black spots. Outer half of UNF black with white spots. UNH has orange-red marginal band followed by black up to costa, both with white spots. LF: Kalachoe laciniata, K. pinata (Crassulaceae).